The Gloomy River

Summary

The novel «The Gloomy River» by Vyacheslav Shishkov narrates the fate of the Gromov family, who, over several generations, strive for wealth and power. The main action unfolds in Siberia at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The protagonist, Prokhor Gromov, inherits a passion for profit and cruelty from his father. He sets out in search of gold and becomes a successful entrepreneur, but his thirst for wealth leads to tragic consequences. The novel explores themes of human greed, moral decline, and the destruction of family values. Despite his outward success, Prokhor loses his loved ones and ends up alone, realizing that his ambitions have led to spiritual emptiness.